Starting your own business presents many challenges as well as the potential for many rewards, and all of us know how important it is to have clear, concise information to make smart business decisions. Our goal is to share experiences about the dynamic, exciting small business community. Our economy depends on entrepreneurs like you and is counting on you to help expand the growing tradition of small business opportunities. Use these guides to help you as you navigate the world of entrepreneurship and grow your small business.


Getting Started


The first step should be to make a business case for your entrepreneurial opportunity. Details and information on preparing a business plan are provided in Guide #3 but for now, put your thoughts in writing to help you determine what additional information and resources you will need. Consider such areas as the following.

 Do you have a solid idea for a business? What resources will you need to move it from abstract to concrete application?

 What role will you play in the business?

 What role will others play in your business? Will you need others?

For many, it may be as simple as defining your goals and turning them into SMART goals. The key in this strategic exercise is to be sure of your goals. It’s important to have a clear vision and plan of what you want to accomplish in your venture. Simply saying that “I want to own a successful business within twelve months” does not constitute a workable plan. Consider the following focused objectives and goals:

 I will manage my own sports equipment business in twelve months with a personal net salary of $100,000 and a staff of twenty.

 I will increase my business sales by 17% compared to last year by implementing seasonal sales on a quarterly basic in both local and regional media venues.

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Start-Up Toolkit


This series of guides on entrepreneurship has been developed just for you, a person who is thinking about starting a small business or who has made the commitment to start one. It is targeted to people who are considering starting a small business as well as small business owners who want to learn more about successful strategies and skills. We have worked with a team of small business owners like you to develop, write, and produce this series.

These guides contain a wealth of information on starting and running your business and also include activities, worksheets, self-assessments, glossaries, and valuable additional resources for you to consult along the way. Entrepreneurship is the process of organizing, managing, and assuming the risks and rewards of a business or enterprise. Most people see entrepreneurship as the opportunity to pursue the dream of working for themselves. For many, it's not always about the money, but rather, about the passion and the challenge. Are you ready?